Council OKs rural fire protection agreement

By JoEllen Black/Richmond News

Richmond City Council unanimously approved to continue the city’s 50-plus year arrangement with the rural fire association through a two-year contract. The contract goes in effect April 1 and ends March 31, 2015.

In the agreement, the city will perform the same firefighting and emergency services within the fire association’s boundary as it provides for city residents. The city will also utilize its fire equipment and vehicles, along with the fire association’s vehicles and equipment when needed for association residents. In the new contract, rural fire will purchase a new fire truck and brush truck for the use of firefighters. The new vehicles are to be housed at Richmond fire station.

The rural fire association will pay the city $26 per constituent for the first year of the contract and $50 per constituent for the second year. Fees generate around $28,000 a year for the city, according to city administrator Ron Brohammer.

The association also has a third-year option of $75 per constituent per year; however, governance of rural fire may change by then.